BS EN 50518:2019+A1:2023

What is BS EN 50518 - Monitoring and Alarm Receiving Centres about?

Monitoring and Alarm Receiving Centres (for consistency, abbreviated as ‘ARCs’) are facilities staffed 24/7 to receive and process alarms and initiate response actions. Alarms are typically triggered by systems that detect intruders, fires, injury, or some other risk to health or property.

BS EN 50518:2019+A1:2023 aims to ensure that ARCs are robust and resilient, so they always initiate timely and appropriate response actions.

Who is BS EN 50518 - Monitoring and Alarm Receiving Centres for?

• ARCs operators

• security system specifiers/installers

• certification bodies

• insurers

• police

What does BS EN 50518 - Monitoring and Alarm Receiving Centres cover?

It provides guidance on planning, construction, systems management processes, leadership, governance, management and staffing of an alarm receiving centre. It also specifies the minimum requirements for monitoring, receiving and processing of alarm messages generated by alarm systems that are part of a total fire, safety and security solution.

BS EN 50518:2019+A1:2023 gives requirements for two categories of Alarm Receiving Centre (ARCs), category I and category II. A category I ARCs will be designed, constructed and operated to a higher standard with respect to construction, security and integrity than a category II ARCs.

The categorization is determined according to the type(s) of alarm messages handled: category I ARCs handle messages from security applications; category II ARC’s handle messages from non-security applications including fire alarm systems, social alarms, lone worker systems and lift emergency systems.

NOTE: BS 5979 Remote centres receiving signals from fire and security systems. Code of practice and BS 9518 Processing of alarm signals by an alarm receiving centre. Code of practice also provide guidance.

Why you should use BS EN 50518 - Monitoring and Alarm Receiving Centres?

• Certified eligibility for a police response: there’s no such thing as an alarm system with a direct connection to the police. It is expected that the police will cite this standard as mandatory, meaning compliance with BS EN 50518:2019+A1:2023 will be necessary for an ARCs to be certified as eligible to receive an immediate police response.

• Enhanced performance: from general procedures and message handling to alarm verification and security screening and vetting, BS EN 50518:2019+A1:2023 promotes efficiency and consistency, resulting in improved incident handling, reduced response times and a reduced number of false calls being passed to the police.

• Higher security: by promoting the use of advanced technologies, such as video surveillance, intrusion and hold-up alarm systems and access controls, BS EN 50518:2019+A1:2023 supports comprehensive protection against potential threats.

• Continuity of service: by including measures that safeguard against power and communication failures, natural disasters, and physical attacks and intrusions, the standard prevents disruptions to ARCs services.

• Customer trust and confidence: implementing BS EN 50518:2019+A1:2023 demonstrates a commitment to maintaining the highest levels of security and professionalism. This can boost customer trust and confidence, making your ARCs a more attractive choice for clients seeking reliable and secure services.

• Strengthened risk management: implementing BS EN 50518:2019+A1:2023 mitigates potential liabilities and provides personnel and operators with greater peace of mind.

What’s new about BS EN 50518:2019+A1:2023?

This is an amendment to BS EN 50518:2019. The major changes in BS EN 50518:2019+A1:2023 are to clarify what qualifies as an acceptable secure location, as follows:

1. change to definition of ‘secure location’
2. modification in text of Clause 5 regarding secure locations
3. change to Clause 6 regarding safety monitoring intervals.

In addition, the UK has created National Annexes NA and NB to provide UK-specific guidance.